Dallas City News

Cowboys have hidden gem to replace Zack Martin in 2025 amid retirement buzz – Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat

No one can fill Martin’s shoes. But maybe they can try with a familiar face when the time comes.

Cowboys have T.J. Bass waiting in the wings as possible Zack Martin replacement

There are a number of ways the Cowboys could replace Martin.

If they are pleased with the development of Brock Hoffman, they could start him at center and move 2024 third-round pick Cooper Beebe, who’s projected to start at center this season, to guard, where he played extensively in college.

However, Beebe might prove to be a star at center. There’s little chance he changes position in that scenario, which leads us back to Bass to succeed Martin. The Cowboys could always draft a guard high next year, but everything we hear from team reporters is that the team thinks highly of Bass.

Signed as an undrafted free agent last April, Bass made spot starts at left and right guard as a rookie; one in place of Martin and the other in place of Tyler Smith. He allowed six pressures, one sack and just five hurries on 190 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

It’s a truncated sample size, but the Cowboys trusted Bass enough to play him in 12 games. That’s no small feat for a rookie free agent. He logged north of 20 snaps in five of those fixtures, which underlined his status as the top backup guard on the roster.

Cowboys guard Tyler Smith predicted to ‘explode’ in 2024 – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated

Tyler Smith might just be poised to take another step forward.

Tyler Smith joined the ranks in 2022 when the Cowboys used the 24th overall selection on the Tulsa product. A left tackle collegiately, Smith played on the outside as a rookie when Tyron Smith was injured. He then shifted inside last year and excelled.

That’s why Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report selected Smith as the guard who will “explode in 2024.”

Tyler Smith lived at left tackle during his days at Tulsa, but a bump inside to left guard last fall has helped him evolve into one of the NFL’s most dominant linemen.

– Ryan Fowler, Bleacher Report

Fowler took one player at each position, with Smith being the lone representative for Dallas. He added that the second-year player was a lock-down pass protector who surrendered just one sack and two quarterback hits. That performance has led to much praise for Smith, who was recently named among the top 25 players under 25.

These Cowboys could be surprise cut candidates in 2024 – Mark Heaney, Inside The Star

Whose name could unexpectedly be left off the 53-man roster?

Wide Receiver, Jalen Tolbert

This entire offseason has included excitement about former 3rd round pick, Jalen Tolbert.

With Michael Gallup out of the picture and no external WR3 brought in, Tolbert falls next in line.

But, what if he doesn’t live up to the WR3 expectations?

We do have to remember, he only has 280 career yards for a reason.

Tolbert has had opportunities over his first two seasons, he just hasn’t capitalized on them to this point.

If that trend stays throughout the preseason process, why shouldn’t he be on the chopping block?

It would allow Dallas to give more snaps to young receivers like Jalen Brooks and Ryan Flournoy.

Reports at the conclusion of #Cowboys mini camp:

• Trey Lance didn’t “wow” anyone. He’s been solid but all of the big time throws were from Dak Prescott.

• Jalen Brooks looks like more confident WR currently than Jalen Tolbert. pic.twitter.com/XfK0103XXC

— Ernie The Cowboys Fan (@es3_09) June 6, 2024

Both of those guys are getting some big hype right now, and the Cowboys could prefer them.

Tolbert should not be considered a lock for the roster just because he was a top-100 pick three years ago.

Cowboys’ Luke Schoonmaker ESPN 2024 Projection? Not Flattering – Adam Schultz, Athlon Sports Nation

Let’s hope Dallas gets more out of Schoonmaker than ESPN’s projection.

With the Cowboys needing more out of their second-round pick, ESPN’s Mike Clay has dropped his 2024 projections, and while Schoonmaker “improved,” it surely isn’t enough to keep the questions over his selection at bay.

Luke Schoonmaker 2024 projection: 12 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD.

Now, here at CowboysCountry.com, we have a saying called “Let the cake bake,” and we don’t judge a player or come to a conclusion based on one season (hello, Jalen Tolbert).

But if Schoonmaker produces a stat line like ESPN is projecting in 2024, then we have to wonder if Dallas and Will McClay made a mistake in taking him in the second round.

While Schoonmaker does improve his stats, coach Mike McCarthy would want him having more than 12 catches for the season in his second year with the Texas Coast Offense.

With the tight end room led by Jake Ferguson, there is no genuine No. 2 behind him, and even Peyton Hendershot has a poor season statistically, according to ESPN (8 rec, 85 yards, 1 TD), so there isn’t confidence in the tight end unit outside of Ferg.

Cowboys offseason countdown: 99 facts until the regular season (Day 91) – Mike Poland, Blogging The Boys

The countdown continues.

We are at day 91 of our 99 day countdown until the regular season. Here is your daily fact associated with number 91.

The Dallas Cowboys headquarters, The Star in Frisco stretches 91 acres along with The Star district that houses various restaurants and stores.

Cowboys first-round pick Mazi Smith at The Star in Frisco, Texas pic.twitter.com/StP72DADn9

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 28, 2023

The Star is home to the Dallas Cowboys main practice facility which was previously at Valley Ranch. The elite facility holds two different variants of playing surface, a huge gym with nutrition stations, state of the art medical facilities, classrooms/meeting rooms as well as offices for the staff and media personnel. The guided tours highlight the extreme detail Jerry Jones and Co. put into the project, and they really did spare no expense to ensure the players get the best training facilities at their disposal.

91-acres of Dallas Cowboys greatness at The Star in Frisco#DallasCowboys #Cowboys #NFL pic.twitter.com/BZkCPazUK3

— Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) June 8, 2024

The main team meeting room also has a small 20-yard field just outside where players can initiate walk-throughs or techniques they’re taught in the classroom and the kicking posts are narrowed to help kickers achieve perfection (Brandon Aubrey would agree).